Steamboat Springs  At-large contender Cari Hermacinski is the top fundraiser among candidates for Steamboat Springs City Council, compiling a total of $5,350 from a variety of sources.

The first deadline to report campaign finances to Steamboat Springs City Clerk Julie Jordan was Oct. 16.

City Council President Susan Dellinger raised less money than any other City Council candidate, with $550 - including $500 from herself. Finance reports list contributions and expenses up to Oct. 11.

"I think that people want to see change, and I think that's clear in the number and diversity of people who are supporting me," Hermacinski said. Her largest campaign contribution, $1,100, came from her parents, Joe and Donna Russo of Steamboat Springs.

While Hermacinski is encouraged by her campaign balance sheet, history shows big spending is no guarantee of Election Day success in Steamboat. Of the top three fundraisers at this point in the 2005 campaign, Kevin Kaminski was the only one to win a seat on City Council. Kaminski resigned his District 3 seat last year when he moved out of the district.

In 2005, lead fundraiser Bud Romberg had $6,538 at the end of the first reporting period, but eventually lost the at-large race to Towny Anderson, who is now defending that seat against Hermacinski. This year, Romberg has contributed $50 each to the campaigns of Hermacinski and District 2 candidate Paul Hughes, who raised $3,575. Hughes' opponent, Meg Bentley, raised $3,054.

Anderson, facing the top fundraiser for the second election in a row, said he is not concerned by the prospect.

"I'm flattered," Anderson quipped.

He reported $4,370 in campaign contributions, 69 percent of which came from two donations: $2,000 from Edward and Elizabeth Weihman of Steamboat and $1,000 from Albert Dowden of Steamboat.

While most contributions made to the 10 candidates for the five open City Council seats came from locals, two candidates' reports stand out for out-of-town contributions. Jon Quinn, whose $4,650 raised is second only to Hermacinski, received nine of his 13 contributions from the Washington, D.C., area where he grew up. Quinn is running for a four-year District 3 seat against Councilwoman Karen Post, who raised $3,125.

Quinn's list of contributors includes some well-known Washington figures: his father Jack Quinn, former White House Counsel to President Bill Clinton; Linda Daschle, wife of former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle; former U.S. Rep. Marty Russo, D-Illinois; and Rob Liberatore, a veteran automobile industry lobbyist for Daimler.

"It's mostly just family friends and relatives excited that I'm running," said Quinn, who noted that he doesn't want his family's political history to influence how he's perceived in Steamboat. "It's certainly not something that defines my character."

Seven of Walter Magill's 11 contributions - constituting $2,275 of $3,125 raised - are also from outside Colorado, mostly from relatives. Magill is running for a two-year District 3 seat against Vince Arroyo, who raised $1,592.

Money's power

City Council candidates differ in their assessment of the importance of money to their campaigns.

"I hope it's not very important because I'm not spending much," Dellinger said. "I don't do a lot of fundraising. It's hard for me to ask people for money. I don't want to get into that. I want to run because I feel I'm being responsive to the community. I want to be responsive, not bought."

Dellinger's opponent for a District 1 seat, Scott Myller, has a similar attitude.

"I : decided if I can't win with a modest campaign, maybe I shouldn't have the position," said Myller, who raised $1,516.

Hermacinski said money can be more important to candidates who, like herself, are challenging incumbents. She said incumbents are well known by nature of their positions, and money allows newcomers to become well known through advertising.

Anderson, who said he'd like to think money isn't important to council races, said the amount of money being spent this year underscores how important of an election it is.

"There's clearly an interest that doesn't think it's being served well," Anderson said. He later said that interest is a development community upset with incumbents who passed legislation requiring affordable housing.

Committees

Candidates aren't the only sources of fundraising for this November's election. The Citizens for a Community Recreation Center committee is campaigning on behalf of Referendums 2B and 2C, which, if passed, would use increased property taxes to fund a $34 million recreation center at Ski Town Fields.

The committee has raised $11,585 thus far.

"I think there's just a lot of people who have shown an interest," said committee organizer Brad Piske.

Piske said the group ultimately hopes to raise $15,000 to $20,000. Piske said running a campaign is, unfortunately, very expensive.

"It's kind of a shame," Piske said. "You work on a campaign for two years, and you end up putting up really simplistic yard signs. It's kind of ludicrous."

A recreation center opposition committee, No 2B 2C, did not report any funds raised through Oct. 11. Committee organizer John Mertz said No 2B 2C did not start fundraising until after Oct. 11. He said the committee now has as about half the money Piske's committee reported.

"We got a little nervous," Mertz said of the amount of money the Citizens for a Community Recreation Center committee has raised. "We're trying to hit it hard and fast."

Candidates and committees will file finance reports again shortly before the Nov. 6 election, and submit a final report in December.

Hey knowitall:
Before you disparage someone, you should look at Cari's background.......Hard work got her to and through, law school from her upbringing in Craig. Maybe her ability to do things on her own rather than hoping city government will take care if her is good reason to vote for her. Maybe her hard work will represent this city in a positive and professional manner while still offering opportunity for people to succeed on their own.

knowitall - this is a non-partisan election - There are no political parties and it is inappropriate for you to infer that in this election. Perhaps the current incumbent lives in a house on blocks and delivers pizza because that is her skill set.

All candidates are talking about an open door policy. How can the incumbents say this? They have had too many closed door meetings, their relationship with the County could not be worse, and traffic is out of control. They have been an arrogant group with very little accountability.

PS: Envy is one of the 7 deadliest sins....and not a very admirable quality. Why not look at her record and look at how she got where she is than belly aching about what she has or who she rubs elbows with. She sounds like one hardworking, civic minded, smart cookie to me.

Editor, if it continues to be the policy of the paper to allow anonymous commentary on the blog, then I strongly suggest that you have the site continuously monitored and blogs that are as offensive and slanderous as the one posted above be removed immediately.

The current City Council is a nightmare. What good have they done for Steamboat? We have construction from one end of town to the other. We have traffic on Lincoln Avenue that looks like downtown Denver. Affordable housing is a joke. They have spent an amazing amount of money on outside consulting firms. They couldn't even make a decision on where to put the community center. Instead they went round and round and round, and then chose the original site.

Perhaps this is what Steamboat deserves. Judging by the majority of comments here - you people are just as inept. Who cares how much money Cari has raised. As far as chickadee's comment goes - baby you need some Valium.

Get a reality check folks. Steamboat Springs is on a downward spiral. Do not re-elect any of these clowns.

Knowitall- perhaps you should consider a new anonymous name like"knowitless". First thing you don't know is that an aupair is about the most affordable childcare option available in this country. Second - it is legal and provides your child with great full-time care allowing you to do what it takes to survive in this town, and even give back a little (good on you Cari). Third - what has being a Doctor's wife got to do with it... Yes I agree please vote - but edjukate yorselvf...

Chickadee - what is your point? There is so much venon and so little truth in your comments. The affordable housing with having an aupair (Nanny) is that you provide a cultural exchange student lodging in your own home as part of the deal - zero impact, and a huge plus for what it allows a parent like Cari to offer the community. Just where do you get off calling these girls "gypsy whores". Obviously you do not know them, or Cari.

This town needs more people like Cari, and less like the above mentioned "no-names".

I'm amazed at some of the comments posted here. You have some real anger issues to deal with before you begin worring about who gets elected in the next city council election. It's interesting that when someone can't deal with a truth they pick up the biggest rock they can find and throw it. What's really sad is when they go after someones family and friends. Reminds me of a 1st grader. Jim, Chiki whatever and knowitall, you are WAY out of line. Get your lies straight and try again.

Those of you who choose to write such horrible untruths should really be ashamed. Ask yourselves if you are happy people, I'm sure you won't like your own answer. If you know anything about Cari, you know that she is an intelligent woman who cares more about Steamboat and our community than your small mind could ever imagine. Give me a break. If you want to vote for someone that has Steamboat in their heart, VOTE FOR CARI.

It figures that Towny would have the supporters that started slinging mud. If your opponent can't be beat on the issues create a smokescreen of hate - That is Towny's style in this election and in the last. Time for him to go!

I don't seem to see any developers on the lists of challengers contributors? Could it be that the incumbents and the out of town interest group paying for mudslinging commercials in our local election are lying to us?

Maybe Cari's Mom and Dad are secret developers? If anyone is "in the pocket" it's Brenner's Council who approved all the stuff were seeing right now, and BEFORE they would have been subject to the housing linkage fees. Thanks for nothing.

A blogger a while ago commented that it's easier to critisize (and lie about) your opponent than it is to face the issues - seems true for the second time with Towny.

Interesting that Towny, a new "resident" of Steamboat (9 years ago and by some people's standards that does not make you a local) and Trust Funder is the champion of the "little guy" winds up being the first to start mud-slinging. Even more interesting that he cannot even support our local schools, but sends his child to private school. (Do I hear elitist?)

It is under his guidance and Council that is approving all the development downtown.

Bubba- not only do we not see any developers contributing to the challenger campaigns but they didn't start "Swift vote steamboat" or Swiftboat either. Concerned citizens for the future of Steamboat Springs is being organized by a second home owner living in Westminster. Why is somone living in Westminster controlling the messaging for the incumbants.

I have to say I am shocked by the ugly and nasty comments posted in regards to this article and then again......it really isn't so shocking. More than likely, all of this ugliness is coming from the same 7% within our community who enjoy trying to destroy and hurt good people and families. These individuals love to have a "public voice" where they can spew out vile and nasty statements (slander to be exact) but yet they are safe due to the fact that they are hiding behind the curtain of anonymity. I would like to see the other candidate come forward and ask his supporters to stop the slanderous and hateful remarks and their bad behavior. Ultimately, to condone this nastiness and ugliness from the individuals who continue to support him, will give each of us great insight as to the level of integrity and character he has. Mr. Anderson....it is time to step up to the plate and run a clean CAMPAIGN and demand that your followers do the same. Cari Hermacinski has not lowered her standards, lost her integrity, nor would she support anyone behaving in such a vicious and vile manner. I do not know her on a personal level, but what I have seen, what I have heard about her and her personal character is that she is a woman with a huge heart for our community, a woman of the highest integrity and moral character, has an impeccable work ethic, and is a wonderful mother and wife.

Wow!
Both anonimity and transparency have places in our society.
Anonimity allows the average American to voice his or her opinion without fear or retaliation whether it be on the streets of the community or at the cash register of ones business. Transparency is a right of those who choose (freedom of choice) to make their opinion public but should be required by all those seeking or accepting public office. Public officials are supposed to work for the COMMON good not just for special inerest groups.
That said, anonimity IS NOT acceptable when defaming or slandering ones reputation by using tasteless remarks or comments such as those that were posted (and removed) above. That's not anonimity, that's COWARDACE!
You don't have to put your name on your ballot at the polls but you should have the guts to make yourself known when making slanderous remarks about ones personal character. If you can't do that then you should crawl back under the rock from which you came!
"judge not lest ye be judged" or "it is better to remain silent and appear the fool, then to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
Shame on you for the above remark(s)!